Grade 11 – Current Students

This information is intended for  Grade 10 ESBCHS students enrolling in Grade 11 for 2022-2023

Students going into grade 11 can book an appointment with their counsellor if they would like guidance on which courses to choose. Students should print off a course planner and mark down course choices on the paper form. This will make it easier when inputting your choices to the online portal.

Grade 11 Course Selections – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum number of credits that I have to take in Grade 11?

• Grade 11 students must register in a minimum of 35 credits. If you are not on track to earn a minimum of 40 credits in your Grade 10 year, you should request 40 credits for grade 11.

How can I be sure I am choosing courses that are required for a High School Diploma?

• Review High school Diploma or Certificate of Achievement requirements carefully to ensure you are selecting courses that will keep you on track for Graduation. Refer to the Student Handbook for detailed information.
• If you did not complete and are not currently taking CALM and/or Phys Ed 10 in Grade 10, or if you are failing either course, you must select them for Grade 11.

Are High School Diploma requirements the same as post-secondary requirements?

• No they are not the same. Post-Secondary requirements for entrance into specific programs may have different criteria than course required for High School graduation. Students are encouraged to research programs to find out the specific course requirements for post-secondary entrance into their program of choice.

What are Scheduling Blocks and why are some courses 3-credits and others are 5-credits?

• Courses are scheduled based on how many credits they are worth:
  • 3 credit classes are every second day for one semester (Day 1 or Day 2)
  • 5 credit classes are every day for one semester (both Day 1 and Day 2)
  • 10 credit classes are every day for two consecutive blocks for one semester (both Day 1 and Day 2)
• The high school timetable can accommodate up to 16 scheduling blocks based on four blocks per day, a two-day rotation and two semesters. Instrumental Music, which runs before school, is not counted in the scheduling blocks.
• A full timetable of 16 scheduling blocks means the student has no spares.
• Students must tally credits on their course planner and also count the scheduling blocks to ensure they are not requesting more courses than a 4 block per semester timetable can accommodate.
  • All 3-credit courses (core or complementary) count as one (1) scheduling block.
  • All 5-credit courses (core or complementary) count as two (2) scheduling blocks.

What do I need to know about course prerequisites?

• You can only select a course for which you have the recommended prerequisite mark. Prerequisite marks are either a final mark or it can be based on the current Q3 mark for a course you are currently taking. All core courses and most CTS courses, fine arts, languages, physical education and other option courses do have prerequisite courses and marks. Prerequisite courses and marks are shown on the course planners and more detail can be found in the Student Handbook.
• Only register in courses for which you have the recommended prerequisite mark.
  • If your mark changes between now and the end of June (up or down from prerequisite), email us at esbchs.registration@blackgold.ca so you can be registered in the appropriate course. Do not wait until fall as many classes fill up.

What if I am currently failing or have failed a core course in Semester 1?

• You can only select a course for which you have the recommended prerequisite mark.
• See the note at the end of this section if you choose both 10 & 20-level courses in the same subject.
• Marks between 40% – 49%:
  • English 10-1 & Social 10-1: If you failed or are currently failing in English 10-1 or Social 10-1, but your mark is over 40%, you may enroll in the lower level course in Grade 11, which would be English 20-2 or Social 20-2. If you receive a passing mark in those courses next year, you would be awarded retroactive credits for the grade 10 level of that course.
    • You may also choose to re-register in the 10-1 course again and, if you wish, also request the 20-1 course.
  • Science 10: If you failed Science 10 but your mark is over 40%, you may enroll in Science 24. If you receive a passing mark in Science 24 next year, you would be awarded retroactive credits for Science 14.
    • You may also choose to re-register in the Science 10 and then also request a 20-level science course.
  • Math 10C: Math 10C differs from the courses above. If you have attained a mark between 50% and 65%, you can either retake Math 10C or enroll in Math 20-2. If you failed Math 10C but have a mark over 40%, you may either retake the course or enroll in Math 20-3. Retroactive credits would be awarded for Math 10-3 upon successful completion of Math 20-3.
    • You may choose to retake Math 10C and also request Math 20-1 or 20-2.
  • English 10-2, Social 10-2, Science 14 or Math 10-3: If you failed or are currently failing one of these courses, your choices are to retake the course or enroll in the 20-4 course. If you choose to enroll in a 20-4 course and you did not take any 10-4 level courses, you must also enroll in Business Services 10-4 and Logistics 20-4. If you were in a 10-4 course in grade 10 and you have completed Business Services 10-4, then you should enroll in Logistics 20-4 in Grade 11 if you plan to enroll in a 20-4 course in grade 11.
• Marks below 40%:
  • If you failed or are currently failing a core course with a mark below 40%, your choices are to retake the course or enroll in the 20-4 course, which is the Knowledge & Employability program. If you choose to enroll in a 20-4 course and you did not take any 10-4 level courses, you must also enroll in Business Services 10-4 and Logistics 20-4. If you were in a 10-4 course in grade 10, then you must enroll in Logistics 20-4 in Grade 11 if you plan to enroll in a 20-4 course in grade 11.
• NOTE: Choosing 10 & 20-level courses in one year: If you choose to request both a 10-level and 20-level in a particular subject, you must verify that the grade 10 level course is in your semester 1 timetable and any 20-level courses are in semester 2. For example, if you choose to retake Science 10 and also request Biology 20, you must verify that Science 10 is in semester 1 and Bio 20 is in semester 2.
  • Schedules will be available to view on PowerSchool in late August.

What if my marks change enough (up or down) and I need or want to choose a different stream?

• Example #1: you had 52% in Science 10 when you registered online and therefore couldn’t choose Biology 20 as the prerequisite mark is 60% but by June your mark has improved to 61%, you now qualify to select Biology 20.
• Example #2: you had 63% at the time of registration in Science 10 and therefore have chosen Chemistry 20,but by end the course, you have earned a 54%, you should request to drop Chemistry 20 and select Science 20 instead.
• At the end of June once your marks are finalized, email esbchs-registration@blackgold.ca with your name, the course you want and your new mark and Student Services will make any necessary change to your course requests. Do not wait until fall to request a change, as many courses will fill up.

Can I choose a Grade 12 course?

• You can register in ONE course at the next grade level. List the course near the bottom of page 2 of your course planner under List Any Other Courses Not Shown On Course Planner Including Up To 1 Grade 12 Core Course. You must have completed or currently be enrolled in the prerequisite course and have the prerequisite mark.

What if I want to take a course at Summer School this year?

• If you are planning to take a course in summer school in July 2021, you should select it on the front page of your course planner in the section entitled Summer School.
• Entering the course you plan to register for on your course planner and on the online registration screen is NOT your Summer School registration. You MUST still register online on the district website (Summer School registration usually opens around May 1. Click here for more information).Please note: you should verify the list of summer school courses being offered on the district website once registration opens.
• If you decide not to go to summer school after you have entered the course on your online registration screen, you should contact the school as soon as possible (before the end of June) if you need to add that course to your course requests.

How do I choose Musical Theatre or Technical Theatre this year?

• If you intend to audition for Musical Theatre or wish to apply for Technical Theatre (set design), you will select the applicable course on your course planner and also enter it on the course selection portal on PowerSchool under Fine Arts. There are no credits associated with either course, as you are not guaranteed acceptance until after the auditions or interviews. You will receive more information from the teacher about the audition/interview process later this spring.
  • Please note that if you are not successful during the audition process but still want to take a Drama course, please contact Student Services before the end of June.